Intuit Canada launches accelerator with Highline Beta to power future-forward financial prosperity for Canadians
Intuit Canada is partnering with Highline Beta to launch the Intuit Prosperity Accelerator, where a cohort of global tech startups will help solve financial prosperity challenges that Canadian consumers, self-employed and small businesses will be facing in the wake of COVID-19.
Today, we’re excited to announce the launch of the Intuit Prosperity Accelerator, in partnership with Intuit Canada, a leading global financial platform company known for products such as TurboTax, QuickBooks and Mint. This program aims to solve very specific problems that will help enable the future financial health of consumers and small businesses across Canada in the wake of COVID-19.
We are looking for startups, globally, that are interested in working with us and Intuit Canada on helping Canadian small businesses, self-employed and consumers. The program will run from October to February next year. The goal will be to find world-class startups, primarily in the seed or pre-seed stage, that can work with us and Intuit Canada to deliver solutions quickly to the Canadian market.
Since the onset of COVID-19, half (49%) of Canadians report that they are $200 or less away each month from insolvency, according to the latest MNP Consumer Debt Index. CFIB reports that 48% of small businesses are making half or less their normal sales, with 50% stating they are most concerned about their business cash flow. These are just a few of the problems this accelerator will be looking to help solve.
Successful applicants to this accelerator will pilot solutions that: 1) help Canadian consumers eliminate debt, build savings and enable financial literacy; and/or 2) help Canadian self-employed and small businesses improve cash flow, get customers, and access help. Startups may apply for more than one of these opportunity areas.
“Collaboration between corporations and across the global startup ecosystem will be critical to moving with even greater urgency in this fast-changing landscape,” said David Marquis, Country Manager at Intuit Canada. “Many of these challenges are global, and I believe that if we broaden our views, expand our networks, and learn from each other, this time of crisis will bring innovative solutions that will help solve financial prosperity challenges for Canadians.”
Startups selected for the Intuit Prosperity Accelerator will benefit from four months of virtual programming, access to a mentorship network inside and outside of Intuit Canada and up to $20,000 towards pilot execution, along with the opportunity for follow-on investment from Highline Beta.
The Intuit Prosperity Accelerator is now accepting applications until September 4th.
For more information on eligibility requirements and to apply, visit: http://www.intuit.com/ca/prosperity-accelerator.